Category Archives: Music

Mickey Hart on file sharing

Mickey Hart, former drummer for the Grateful Dead, is on stage at Web 2.0 right now and making a whole lot of sense. Jeff Mallet from SNOCAP, a digital licensing and copyright management company is also part of the discussion panel to represent the paid model. Some choice quotes from Mickey: “[The fans] didn’t steal it, we gave it away” “If we ever make a good album, they’ll buy that.” “I’ve probably been recorded more than anyone else.” “We played in the park and we always played better when we played free. I think it’s a good thing to share…

Apple iTunes Store offering preorders

Apple is offering pre-orders for upcoming albums such as Coldplay’s X&Y (planned release is June 7). You cannot preview any of the tracks on the album through the store even though the first single, Speed of Sound, is currently available for purchase. Apple is trying to get people to order digital music files for future delivery. The iTunes album includes a two exclusive pre-oder tracks, a digital booklet — liner notes? — and a video file. I presume iTunes will download the album the first time the application is launched on or after the full availability of the release. I…

Technorati search goes to 11

Why does Technorati’s search page paginate through 11 result pages when other search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Ask Jeeves all use 10? Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap explains it best in this clip shown below. When you’re at 10 where can you go from there? If we need that extra push over the cliff we go to 11. Especially for the all-important presence amplifier.Technorati Tags: spinaltap…

Johnny Ramone is dead

Johnny Ramone died yesterday afternoon after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. Charles Young of Rolling Stone published an article based on recent interviews with Johnny. Eddie Vedder and Rob Zombie were at his bedside. From Pet Sematary on the Brain Drain album: Follow victor to the sacred place This ain’t a dream, I can’t escape Molars and fangs, the clicking of bones, Spirits moaning among the tombstones, And the night, when the moon is bright, Someone cries, something ain’t right.I don’t want to be buried in a pet sematary I don’t want to live my life again, I…

Gene Simmons on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?

In an August 24, 2004 entry Gene Simmons says “Talked today about a possible (..gulp) QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY appearance. They called and asked me if I would do it. I’m a fan of the show. We may shoot on the 28th of Sept.” How will Gene be involved in Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? My guess is he will surprise a KISS fan after their makeover. It would be hilarious to see Gene Simmons get some grooming or culture tips, but the show’s mission is “to transform a style-deficient and culture-deprived straight man.”…

How to legally distribute cover songs

CD Baby put together a summary of copyright considerations when releasing a cover song as a download or on a CD. More simple than I thought. The toughest part is identifying who to contact. Identify the publisher.Send a letter of intent.Pay royalties. (via BoingBoing)…

Crosby Nash 2004

David Crosby and Graham Nash have come up with a clever way to market their new CD: structure a Web site and weblog like a presidential site. Watch the weblogging world get a hold of the story and you have a very cheap marketing campaign. (via MetaFilter)…

Dave Matthews Band free concert

Dave Matthews Band will play a free concert at the Polo Fields in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on September 12. “The concert will benefit Bay Area community charities addressing issues of homelessness among single adults, youth and families, pediatric AIDS and other terminal childhood maladies, Bay Area park improvement and music education resources.”…